About The Song
“Fire and Rain” is a popular song written and performed by American singer-songwriter James Taylor. Released in August 1970 as the second single from his second studio album, Sweet Baby James, the song gained significant recognition, especially through its poignant lyrics. The song gained immense popularity due to its deeply personal lyrics that conveyed Taylor’s emotions following the suicide of his childhood friend Suzanne Schnerr and his personal struggles with drug addiction.
The lyrics of “Fire and Rain” detail James Taylor’s reaction to a friend’s suicide and his experiences with drug addiction. The title comes from a quote Suzanne once made to him: “Don’t let it rain on your parade”. The song’s meaning, however, goes beyond Taylor’s personal experiences and serves as a universal anthem of life’s struggles and enduring hope. Overall, “Fire and Rain” is considered a heartfelt tribute to Suzanne and a triumph in the canon of James Taylor’s music.
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Lyrics
Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone.
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you.
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song,
I just can’t remember who to send it to.
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.
Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus, You’ve got to help me make a stand.
You’ve just got to see me through another day.
My body’s aching and my time is at hand and I won’t make it any other way.
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I’d see you again.
Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun.
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it’ll turn your head around.
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line to talk about things to come.
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground.
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain. I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
but I always thought that I’d see you baby, one more time again, now.
Thought I’d see you one more time again.
There’s just a few things coming my way this time around, now.
Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you, fire and rain, now.